The past several weeks, I have become “a regular” at our local coffee shop. The kids have been enjoying summer camp, and I take myself and my laptop to Local, claim a corner, and finesse words. It’s a good summer thus far!
Two observations from working in a coffee shop:
1. God is very much at work in the lives of people every day.
Throughout my daily stint of bottomless coffee, I see people huddled in community. The hustle is real in a coffee shop…client calls, sales meetings, business conversations.
But I also see open Bibles. Discipleship meetups. Journals. Mentoring moments. People taking the time to pause and seek God. And people are seeking God together.
My heart is encouraged to see people gathering at a coffee shop, seeking God. Coffee shops across the city contain collisions of Christ’s love with His people and the people He is pursuing. If you are in the ministry of discipleship and life-to-life impact, you are not alone.
2. There is still a need for Biblically sound, winsome teaching and truth. The people in the coffee shop next to you need it desperately.
To my chagrin, my top played track on Spotify every year is always the white noise of an airplane cabin, and this year is on schedule to repeat the feat. I’m there to work, and eavesdropping is not on my task list.
But despite the white noise, I can’t help but overhear a whole bunch of well-intentioned bad theology. If you are in the ministry of teaching from the Bible, with God’s Words as your primary source material, your ministry is needed.
I’ve been so encouraged these past several weeks to see how many hearts are turned toward God. These interactions are probably happening in your little town or big city as well. God is on the move!
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
Know this: Your labor is not in vain. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. It’s making a difference, and people need to hear. There’s a place for you at the table, and the coffee is good.
Another bonus observation from the coffee shop: Gossip is alive and well. Let your words be gracious and winsome, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). The next table over is listening.
“Every disciple needs three types of relationships in his life. He needs a ‘Paul’ who can mentor him and challenge him. He needs a ‘Barnabas’ who can come along side and encourage him. And he needs a ‘Timothy,’ someone that he can pour his life into.” —Howard G. Hendricks
